duck hunting organizations
Willows Lodge ideal complement to Woodinville wineries
Woodinvile has always been a cherished getaway prominent Seattle families as Stimsons CD – and now This area is attracting wine lovers from around the world.
Woodinville trip was a real experience of the sultans of commerce in Seattle, and what it is today – although for slightly different reasons. Back in the day, was duck hunting and the wilderness that attracted the big guys – today's wineries, breweries and a luxury resort that seems embody the spirit of the Northwest.
The complex is the Willows Lodge – no hunting like the Stimsons shelter once built on the property in the area, but rather a luxury retreat that has all the refinements of any stature may desire. No duck hunting here – the birds in these parts is already cooked or roasted, like everything else in the famous resort restaurant barking frog, prepared to perfection. Our dinner and breakfast there were times they will remember for a long time.
The resort is a tribute, somehow, to the great cedar forest that covered the entire area of Woodinville. Willows Lodge now features Douglas fir wood structure lodge. The sensation of heat, making this complex rustic feel and the northwest as anywhere you'll ever visit – as far away from other regional cultures can be obtained. Adding to the atmosphere is a giant stone fireplace in the lobby.
Our room at Willows Lodge had a fireplace very own well hidden in a corner of the spacious bedroom area. One king was equipped with 300 thread count sheets and duvets, Egyptian cotton in Europe. Nearby, a desk office and a dining room over footrest, complemented by a high-definition television and entertainment system. A small refrigerator was available to cool some of the local wines. The bathing area Dombracht featured luxury accessories and bowls Mexico distinctive marble and spa tub large. Our room opened onto a quiet garden with deciduous trees and Japanese maples, flowering organized in a charming landscape that feels more like a city park than a hotel.
With all this, it is not surprising that some couples come to the Willows Lodge only to wine, dine and enjoy each other's company in one of these luxurious rooms. But Woodinville offers customers a bonus: About 40 wineries are in the immediate vicinity, including Chateau Ste. Michelle winery just across the street. This winery is another world of exploration for anyone curious about the art of winemaking.
Chateau Ste. Michelle winery is the oldest winery in Washington and really was the genesis of a state of wine growing industry that has spread to several geographical regions. Currently, facilities are located on 87 acres with a magnificent feudal castle as the centerpiece. Visitors enjoy strolling the grounds and visit the wine shop and tourism also wine production facilities, where an expert guide will serve several wines and answer all your questions about wine-making in general, and the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery in particular. The Chateau Ste. Michelle winery renowned entertainment even offers a series of outdoor concerts held each summer.
Tell on tour the winery was built near where Stimson lumber baron has his country house, and the wines today began with the wine Pommerelle Company renamed American Wine Growers after merging with another company. It was in 1967 that fine wine was first produced and then was 1972, Ste Michelle Vintners planted its first vineyards in eastern Washington.
In 1976, Ste Michelle Vintners built the French chateau style that today's visit in Woodinville and from this moment the company officially became Chateau Ste. Michelle. The winery grew and so did its reputation for producing high quality wines. The winery also has worked to get the Columbia Valley region in eastern Washington – where the vineyards were planted – recognized as a unique wine growing region of America Viticulture and Area.
It is easy to spend hours at the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery just soaking up the atmosphere, not to mention the wine samples. But visitors to the area Woodinville find other wineries to visit – and one of the largest breweries in the country.
Only a five minute walk from the Lodge Sauces Red Hook Brewery is a fun fun for beer lovers and those interested in how beer is made. Red Hook has become a favorite among national and concerts beer tasting room and did not disappoint. The tour cost is $ 1, a bargain considering that you get to test a number of changes in Red Hook and German we say the tour guides are not stingy pour over samples. The bonus must keep the souvenir glass.
On this tour you will get to see the bottling – if you come on a weekday – and see the impressive machinery, as it takes beer from creation to the product finished.
The Red Hook brewery has a bar of preparation, which tends to mixed reviews. The key seems to be the expectations – if you are what some people refer to as a "wine snob," the experience of Red Hook is less than its taste because the emphasis is on beer, pub food and experience party. But if you understand the difference between the most refined, sophisticated experience in a winery like Chateau Ste. Michelle and preparation-pub atmosphere, you will a great time at Red Hook or will not go first.
Woodinville is on the way from Seattle to the picturesque mountains of the waterfall. Another 21 miles northeast is the beginning of the Stevens Pass route in the Cascades. Visitors to Seattle can get an idea of the mountains, take Route 2 through the small towns of Sultan, Gold Bar and Index, where the landscape begins to look every bit as spectacular as the European Alps. Skykomish River cuts through the mountains and the thick green forest in this part of the state to reveal incredible photo opportunities at every step of the River.
Another day trip to Woodinville is Snoqualmie River Valley, where you can take Highway 203 on a scenic tour through cities such as Duval, carnation and fall before reaching the City Snoqualmie, home of the famous Snoqualmie Falls and gateway to Snoqualmie Pass, another important route of the Cascade Mountains.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Woodinville is about 16 miles from Seattle and is easily accessible by taking I-90 east and then the I-405 north until you see signs for Woodinville. Once a favorite destination for the upper class of Seattle, this area is now home not only of the Chateau St. Michelle winery, but dozens of other wineries as well.
WHAT: Willows Lodge and nearby wineries create an opportunity to experience a luxurious stay in a picturesque region of Washington, which happens to be very close to many wineries that are open to public travel.
WHEN: A visit to Woodinville can be done at any time of year, but the best opportunity Sunshine will be in late July, August and September. Like the rest of Western Washington, Woodinville may be subject to the clouds and rain, especially during winter. Summer is also an advantage if you plan ahead to the visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle is offering one of his concerts in popularity.
BY WHAT: Visitors to Seattle – and the residents of Seattle – will find that Woodinville is quick and easy to reach and offers a wide range of landscapes and attractions. The area is also a great base for anyone wanting to take trips to other parts of King County, or west of the Cascade Mountain passes.
HOW: For more information about the Willows Lodge, please visit www.willowslodge.com or phone 877.424.3930. To learn more about Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, please visit www.ste-michelle.com or phone 800-267-6793.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , which will help you travel California, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering NW beach vacations and other travel destinations in the Pacific Northwest .
